Monthly Archives: March 2016

This week on People Profile: Jephtah Thomas (Act of Bravery)
Bravery might be the most difficult word to comprehend. What makes one person brave and another not? How can the word bravery be defined?
Many people believe that bravery is the same as being without fear. But being brave and being fearless are two different things. Many people skydive, do public speaking, ask questions, or enter relationships not because they are unafraid but because they are willing to overcome this fear. To some, this is a foreign concept that prevents them from trying new things. However, others understand that “bravery is being terrified and doing it anyway.”
Bravery is also closely tied to selflessness. The book Divergent by Veronica Roth describes bravery as being the ultimate selfless action. Bravery is when you put yourself in danger to help or protect another. Firemen are brave when they rush into a building to save someone trapped inside. Bravery is taking a risk to give something of yourself in order to make life easier for another.
Above all, bravery is instinctual. It is something that cannot really be thought through. Oftentimes, bravery is a spur-of-the-moment emotion that leaves little time to think your actions and consequences through. Brave people don’t hesitate. They can leap forward when others are still working their way through a problem. In order to be brave, one should not overthink situations. It’s an instinctive action that just happens. If you talk to someone that has just performed a brave act and ask them why they leapt into danger, their response is often “… I don’t know. I just did it.”
This week on People Profile we welcome Jephtah Thomas.

Dr.CWelcome to People profile Jephtah Thomas, please tell us who is Jephtah Thomas.

Jephtah Thomas
To be honest, I am just a humble fellow from River head St Ann in Jamaica. Born to Leibert and Coral Thomas who had 11 kids. I left primary school then went to Dinthill high. I have had experiences working in the hotels working as an engineer. Migrated to NY where I lived for 7 years then move down to Florida as my mother was living there. Just an average joe just got married 2 years ago to a beautiful woman and we have a son.

Dr.C
How do you view religion?

Jephtah Thomas
At one time I was a very religious person having baptised in Jamaica. I wouldn’t say I went to bible school or anything like that but I read as much as I can. The bible is one of the books that our culture focuses on.

Dr.C
Yes, that is true. Could you take us to that day on Marth 11th 2016 when we truly define as a hero for displaying such act of bravery?

Jephtah Thomas
Well, it was one of those days when I was going to work. After i drove from the stop light something just flashes across my windscreen then I heard a crash and after putting the two together I looked to my right and saw a vehicle submerged in the canal. I didn’t know how long it was in there but I thought it must have been recent so I sprang into action. When I went to the distressed vehicle I realise that someone inside was trying to break the glass and showed signs of a panic. So I called 911 right away then started beckoning to people for help. This gentleman from nowhere came over and started to help. I immediately sprang into action by giving my phone to someone then head right into the water. I couldn’t open the front door but I heard a faint knock on the back glass where I saw a little girl in a frantic look. I couldn’t wait and I don’t know how I got my fingers between the rubber and the glass but I started pulling the two apart. I struggled at first but I was able to pull her out. She was about 10 years old. Then I realised that her father was below trying to hold her up. I think what happened was that the father after realising that he was trapped decided to keep his daughter above the water so he was trying desperately to hold her up. As a swimmer, I never had any fear of the water, even although it shows signs of murkiness.

Dr.CIn the immediate moments, how did you feel knowing that you had just saved a life or two?

Jephtah Thomas
I was relieved in particular the little girl after seeing the joy on her face after she came out of the water. I kept thinking it could be my own child or even myself that could have been in that position.

Dr.CWould you consider yourself to be a good samaritan or do you think that was just something that needs to be done?

Jephtah Thomas
I was compelled to do it. I don’t know if I would see myself as a hero or anything of the sort. it was just a natural reaction to a situation without thought.

Dr.CYes, it’s an act of bravery to sacrifice your life in the pursuit of saving another person’s life.

Jephtah Thomas
I would do it again. If I see someone in need of help, trust me I am going to help them.

Dr.CEver so often we see televised story of Jamaicans being involved in crime and other aspects of the society that is negative and so this story represents a breath of fresh air to many of us in the diaspora. It is very good to hear that Jamaicans are impacting the community from all aspects.

Jephtah Thomas
Absolutely Dr.C.

Dr.CI also realized that this story has been seen all across the globe and your facebook page was flooded Jephtah.What is your response to being in the spotlight?

Jephtah Thomas
Dr.C, people from all walks of life sent me messages of thanks and congratulations and I must admit it felt good to be appreciated.

Dr.CIts always good to be appreciated Jephtah even though that was not the intention. Nothing is wrong with a show of appreciationWhere do you see yourself in 5 years with all this recognition? Do you think you would be more incline to assist more individuals and charities?

Jephtah Thomas
Absolutely Dr.C! My intentions were always to help people. Even back home I encouraged my friends to always give to others.

Dr.COn a different subject, how do you feel about the results of the election in Jamaica?

Jephtah Thomas
To be honest I am a socialist but I was sorta not satisfied with the direction the country was heading and so I think it is good to give the younger generation a chance to bolster the country’s economic growth.

Dr.CThat view has been shared by a lot of Jamaicans across the globe. What about the USA? Where do you see Donald Trump in the end result of this elections?

Jephtah Thomas
If he should win the presidency I believe it would be an act of god as he would herald in world war 3.

Dr.CWow! and you may have a point too as that is also shared by a lot of my friends especially based on his derogatory and discriminatory talk.

Jephtah Thomas
Yes, I think he is distasteful and should be ashamed of his behavior.

Dr.CAckee and saltfish or salt mackerel lol?

Jephtah Thomas
Got to have my ackee and saltfish Dr.C lol.

Dr.CMan of my heart! Jephtah Thomas People Profile thank you for sharing your story. Your act of bravery gives us hope that good people are all around us. Thank you very much my friend, as usual, walk good.

Jephtah Thomas
Thanks very much for having me Dr.C It was my pleasure.